Editor’s note: Russell Gehrlein appeared as a guest on the Embrace Our Calling podcast, hosted by Marcus Mok, on Sunday, January 25. Russell and Marcus discussed several faith and work concepts found in Russell’s book, Immanuel Labor: God’s Presence In Our Profession, and life lessons Russell has learned throughout his career. Below is a partial transcript of their conversation, which has been edited for length and clarity. We invite you to read part one of this conversation or listen to the full conversation.
Immanuel Labor in Uniform
MM: Let’s talk about [your] military service. You served twenty years in active military and almost twenty years as a civilian. I know you [have previously] shared some ways that you help other soldiers. … What does Immanuel Labor look like in uniform?
RG: God [has] used me to love my neighbor. A company has about one hundred twenty soldiers. [During my active military service,] I was selected to take care of the weapons for my company. That was my full-time job. I had no idea in 1988, when I was preparing weapons, that two and a half years later, those same weapons would be taken to Iraq for an operation there called Desert Storm.
[Here,] I actually met the needs of soldiers that I didn’t even know who, years later, would be taking those things to combat with them. It’s so important to be ready and serviceable. [Other people’s] lives depend on that. You just never know how God can use you through your work.
I found a lot of satisfaction in [this work.] [Through all of this,] God gave me an understanding of the eternal value of military service.
… [Also,] there are a lot of chaplains in the military. So, I’ve been able to support them throughout my career. I do that on a very regular basis.
Calling for the Next Generation
MM: As a grandfather of five and someone who has walked this journey for decades, what do you want the next generation to understand about finding and living out their calling?
RG: I want my grandchildren and the next generation to know that God loves them so much and that he created them with a purpose. He is going to be looking for opportunities to be co-workers with them, [to use them] to be salt and light throughout the world in every field or endeavor. They have been given aptitudes, talents, skills, abilities, and spiritual gifts that not only can be used in a church setting, but also at work as well.
…So as they go about [their work] in banking, medicine, teaching, painting, construction, cooking, serving, typing, or whatever it is that they do in their paid jobs, God can use them. God has a purpose and a plan for them.
[Work] is a platform to spread the gospel. We’ve got people that we get to work with and care for, and people that are going to minister to us as well … God has a purpose [for our work], and it’s not just to bring home money to give toward missions and to share our faith. Certainly, that’s part of it, but that’s a very small part. It’s all about God working through us to love our neighbor.
